Green Group discussion

Hyenas are neither dogs nor cats, act and look more like dogs, but are closer to cats and weasels on the evolutionary tree of life. Think badger (a weasel) with longer legs and a similar burrowing habit. They are good at gnawing bones, and are sometimes chased away from a kill by lions. The bones are what the lions leave.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park has welcomed two new cubs from their young mother Noubia.

https://www.yorkshire.com/auckley/ins...

"Noubia came to the Yorkshire park from a zoo in Belgium and was introduced to the male hyena, Speedy, only a few months ago. The pair got on brilliantly from the start. Charlotte MacDonald said, “We are delighted that they were able to contribute to the breeding programme so quickly.” The birth of these two hyena cubs is more than just a cute story; it’s a significant milestone for the species. Spotted hyena populations are declining in the wild, so every cub born as part of a breeding programme is a victory for conservation.

These clever animals are often misunderstood. They have a complex vocabulary with around 12 different vocalisations. Their famous "laughing" call isn't just for fun; it’s how they communicate excitement, nerves, or the discovery of food, and it can be heard from over five kilometres away. Visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of the new family can find them in the Experience Ethiopia section of the park."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyena

"Hyenas or hyaenas are feliform carnivoran mammals belonging to the family Hyaenidae. With just four extant species, it is the fifth-smallest family in the order Carnivora and one of the smallest in the class Mammalia. Despite their low diversity, hyenas are unique and vital components of most African ecosystems. Wikipedia."

The species named are brown, spotted, striped, and aardwolf. These smaller predators are in competition with jackals and wild dogs, as well as with big and smaller cats.